Council on Public Defense

The Council on Public Defense was established to implement the recommendations of the WSBA Blue Ribbon Panel on Criminal Defense, which was appointed by the Board of Governors in spring 2003 as a first step in addressing concerns about the quality of indigent defense services in Washington.

Key Documents

Washington State Bar Association Standards for Indigent Defense Services: On September 20, 2007, the WSBA Board of Governors adopted updated standards for indigent defense services as proposed by the WSBA Committee on Public Defense, and forwarded the standards to the Supreme Court of Washington for consideration. The WSBA Standards are recommended only and are not enforceable.